Havana

[QUOTE=La Isla]Mr Soulo,

He's not living in the past he's just telling it like it is. BTW, if you want $. 75 a gallon gasoline (even cheaper), go to Venezuela. I am guessing from your past reports that your first foray into Cuba wasn't until recently (2008?).

It's like this. If you had been visiting a beautiful garden for years and watched it wither and dry out over time, you would be sad and probably not want to visit again until it was back in its glory, in full bloom. If like you, you only knew the garden as a withered, dried out place, you wouldn't know any better. You'd think it was a beautiful place.

It's all perspective. The Cuba of today is a FAR, FAR, FAR cry from the paradise it used to be. Not just for poonany, but for fun, comraderie and just as an all around great tourist destination. That's just the facts, Jack.[/QUOTE]I can actually go to Saudi Arabia and pay $. 09 a gallon for gas, but that's not the point. Everything in life changes, this is an undeniable fact so learn to deal with it.

I understand your analogy of a "withering garden", but I do not subscribe to your train of thought or description, as it is my right to do so. Cuba is not just a place for sex, if this is the only reason why you went there then I feel sorry for you as you have surely missed out on the many splendors of this beautiful country.

And of course there was great "comraderie" (correct spelling is actually camaraderie) back in the good ole days, starving people will put up with stupid jokes just so that they can hopefully get a free meal out of it. This happens everyday in the USA, so why wouldn't it be the same in the Cuba of the 90's.

Furthermore, don't attempt to assume that I've only been to Cuba since 2008, maybe I have made other posts on this site under another name. But then again maybe I have not. The point being, in the immortal words of Benny Hill, "when you assume you make an ass out of you and me"!

I just came back from Cuba 2 weeks ago, my friends and I had an amazing time. There was an endless supply of delicious women, for as little as FREE-$20 PESOS. As well as other fun and fantastic things to do. You just have to know where to go and how to treat the people and great adventures will be yours for the taking.

As far as the FREE punanny action is concerned, it helps if you treat them very nicely and you don't look like you've been dragged face first along the bottom of the River Thames.

In closing my friend, just live and let live. Enjoy every moment you have while it lasts and stop living in the past. Because once the American government fully lifts the embargo and Americans are legally allowed to visit Cuba, that beautiful country will be used and abused and become a complete overpriced wasteland! Then you will really wish for the good ole days. The good ole days of 2010!

[QUOTE=Trilero]Dear mr soulo,

As I live at the present I don't go to Cuba.

For the money you spend in Cuba actually in 2 weeks I live 6 weeks in a place where I can rent an apartment and bring who I wish and more pussy available and even cheaper.

Please open your mind, perhaps many of us need to read or travel more then compare.[/QUOTE]My mind is completely open, but it quite obvious by your comment that yours is not. For some reason I do not believe you are psychic, therefore it's impossible for you to know the extent of my travels. Don't try to assume anything about me and my adventures as I will surely NOT do the same with you.

Cuba is more than a CUM DUMP for nerds that can't get laid in their own country. Even when offering to pay for it. Keep an open mind and explore the country a little, once you do this many good and fun things will happen for you.

I just came back from Cuba 2 wks ago, my friends and I stayed at an all-inclusive on the beach, but we also rented a house 2 kilometers away for partying. It was a new construction, maybe 6 years old, it had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, complete kitchen with appliances, living room, dining room, 3 TV's, front terrace, backyard and was across the street from the beach. The price was only $36 pesos a day and breakfast was included. This worked out to be a mere $12 pesos per man, which is nothing. There was also a nice local restaurant on the corner selling food for $1-$3 pesos per meal. There were no security lurking around trying to hit us up for a tip and the CHICAS DID NOT HAVE TO SIGN IN! We took the keys to the house in the daytime and we were left completely alone for our entire stay. The house was government owned and NOT a "casa particular". The chicas came and went FREELY and without hassle.

Now as far as paying the chicas are concerned, the price ranged from FREE-$20 pesos. Just like in the "western world", some "girls just want to have fun" and were NOT looking to get paid. The ones that were interested in the money either left it up to our own discretion or asked for $10, $15, or $20 pesos. Not expensive at all.

So let's do some math for a minute, just for comparison.
$750 (2 weeks at an all-inclusive, flights included, single occupancy)
$120 (10 days casa rental per man, $360 for the house divided by 3 guys)
$105 (Chicas: 2 free, 2 @ $20, 2 @ $10 and 3 @ $15)
$130 (alcohol, clubbing...again quite cheap as we were 3 guys spending)
$90 (snacks, restaurants, bottled water, etc. we ate at our hotel everyday so this didn't cost us much out of pocket)
$50 (tips)
$40 (taxis for me, my friends and the chicas:$120 divided by 3 guys=$40)
$50 (miscl)
________________________________________________________________
$1335 pesos TOTAL! This is what i spent for 2 weeks of complete madness!!

Now lemme ask you, do you still think Cuba is overpriced??

ps. We were NOT in Havana or the surrounding areas. There is much more to Cuba than the big cities! ;)

[QUOTE=MrSoulo]My mind is completely open, but it quite obvious by your comment that yours is not. For some reason I do not believe you are psychic, therefore it's impossible for you to know the extent of my travels. Don't try to assume anything about me and my adventures as I will surely NOT do the same with you.

Cuba is more than a CUM DUMP for nerds that can't get laid in their own country. Even when offering to pay for it. Keep an open mind and explore the country a little, once you do this many good and fun things will happen for you.

I just came back from Cuba 2 wks ago, my friends and I stayed at an all-inclusive on the beach, but we also rented a house 2 kilometers away for partying. It was a new construction, maybe 6 years old, it had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, complete kitchen with appliances, living room, dining room, 3 TV's, front terrace, backyard and was across the street from the beach. The price was only $36 pesos a day and breakfast was included. This worked out to be a mere $12 pesos per man, which is nothing. There was also a nice local restaurant on the corner selling food for $1-$3 pesos per meal. There were no security lurking around trying to hit us up for a tip and the CHICAS DID NOT HAVE TO SIGN IN! We took the keys to the house in the daytime and we were left completely alone for our entire stay. The house was government owned and NOT a "casa particular". The chicas came and went FREELY and without hassle.

Now as far as paying the chicas are concerned, the price ranged from FREE-$20 pesos. Just like in the "western world", some "girls just want to have fun" and were NOT looking to get paid. The ones that were interested in the money either left it up to our own discretion or asked for $10, $15, or $20 pesos. Not expensive at all.

So let's do some math for a minute, just for comparison.
$750 (2 weeks at an all-inclusive, flights included, single occupancy)
$120 (10 days casa rental per man, $360 for the house divided by 3 guys)
$105 (Chicas: 2 free, 2 @ $20, 2 @ $10 and 3 @ $15)
$130 (alcohol, clubbing...again quite cheap as we were 3 guys spending)
$90 (snacks, restaurants, bottled water, etc. we ate at our hotel everyday so this didn't cost us much out of pocket)
$50 (tips)
$40 (taxis for me, my friends and the chicas:$120 divided by 3 guys=$40)
$50 (miscl)
________________________________________________________________
$1335 pesos TOTAL! This is what i spent for 2 weeks of complete madness!!

Now lemme ask you, do you still think Cuba is overpriced??

ps. We were NOT in Havana or the surrounding areas. There is much more to Cuba than the big cities! ;)[/QUOTE]Mr. Soulo,

Where was this? By the sound of it, I'd guess an all inclusive near the campo. But it sounds like a good time nonetheless.

Mr Soulo

You made out nice.

Im a cheap son of a ***** who has traveled to Cuba many times but it would be impossible to live in Havana on your figures.

What city did you got to ????

Ive only stayed in Havana and prices are alot higher than those you posted.

For example:

Casa was 30 cuc per night x 14 days = 420 cuc
Chicas want between 40 -60 cuc per night x 14 days = 700 cuc ( appx)
Taxis will run you about 20 per day x 14 days = 280 cuc
Food will run 15 cuc per day X 14 days = 210 cuc
Drinks wil run about 15 cuc per day x 14days = 210 cuc
Clubs = 100 cuc total
Airport depart fee = 25 cuc

Total = 1945 CUC
1945 cuc x 1.20 (exchange rate) = $ 2335 US
Airfare = $700
Total = $3035

Mr Soulo I applaude those numbers. Im assuming you are not from the US possibly the Bahamas

If I had to guess, Manzanillo. There ain't shit there.

[QUOTE=MrSoulo]My mind is completely open, but it quite obvious by your comment that yours is not. For some reason I do not believe you are psychic, therefore it's impossible for you to know the extent of my travels. Don't try to assume anything about me and my adventures as I will surely NOT do the same with you.

Cuba is more than a CUM DUMP for nerds that can't get laid in their own country. Even when offering to pay for it. Keep an open mind and explore the country a little, once you do this many good and fun things will happen for you.

I just came back from Cuba 2 wks ago, my friends and I stayed at an all-inclusive on the beach, but we also rented a house 2 kilometers away for partying. It was a new construction, maybe 6 years old, it had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, complete kitchen with appliances, living room, dining room, 3 TV's, front terrace, backyard and was across the street from the beach. The price was only $36 pesos a day and breakfast was included. This worked out to be a mere $12 pesos per man, which is nothing. There was also a nice local restaurant on the corner selling food for $1-$3 pesos per meal. There were no security lurking around trying to hit us up for a tip and the CHICAS DID NOT HAVE TO SIGN IN! We took the keys to the house in the daytime and we were left completely alone for our entire stay. The house was government owned and NOT a "casa particular". The chicas came and went FREELY and without hassle.

Now as far as paying the chicas are concerned, the price ranged from FREE-$20 pesos. Just like in the "western world", some "girls just want to have fun" and were NOT looking to get paid. The ones that were interested in the money either left it up to our own discretion or asked for $10, $15, or $20 pesos. Not expensive at all.

So let's do some math for a minute, just for comparison.
$750 (2 weeks at an all-inclusive, flights included, single occupancy)
$120 (10 days casa rental per man, $360 for the house divided by 3 guys)
$105 (Chicas: 2 free, 2 @ $20, 2 @ $10 and 3 @ $15)
$130 (alcohol, clubbing...again quite cheap as we were 3 guys spending)
$90 (snacks, restaurants, bottled water, etc. we ate at our hotel everyday so this didn't cost us much out of pocket)
$50 (tips)
$40 (taxis for me, my friends and the chicas:$120 divided by 3 guys=$40)
$50 (miscl)
________________________________________________________________
$1335 pesos TOTAL! This is what i spent for 2 weeks of complete madness!!

Now lemme ask you, do you still think Cuba is overpriced??

ps. We were NOT in Havana or the surrounding areas. There is much more to Cuba than the big cities! ;)[/QUOTE]Humn, $750 for 2 weeks, single occupancy? Was it a 1 star resort? Where? How was the food because I stayed at Playa De Oro in Varadero in 2008 and entering the restaurant made me puke with an aweful smell, yuk; (

Taste was even worse! I don't know how Taxi cost you only $120 in 14 days. In Varadero, we used to pay 10CUC one way going to clubs a few KM away, so it was 20CUC at least, a night, going to 1 destination(there and back). Multiply that by 14(2 weeks) in your case and it would be 280CUC= $292. 880 USD. Also you talk about meeting X amount of girls BUT majority of people report here that cops are everywhere and that chicas are afraid of approaching foreigners. Please don't take this as an insult. Its just that I want to get a clear picture of the whole situation in Cuba.

Thanks

I was guessing Manzanilllo also or Cienfuegos.

The closest AI in manzanillo is 2+hours away by bus close to the small town of Pilon.

[QUOTE=Sammytheman]Humn, $750 for 2 weeks, single occupancy? Was it a 1 star resort? Where? How was the food because I stayed at Playa De Oro in Varadero in 2008 and entering the restaurant made me puke with an aweful smell, yuk; (

Taste was even worse! I don't know how Taxi cost you only $120 in 14 days. In Varadero, we used to pay 10CUC one way going to clubs a few KM away, so it was 20CUC at least, a night, going to 1 destination(there and back). Multiply that by 14(2 weeks) in your case and it would be 280CUC= $292. 880 USD. Also you talk about meeting X amount of girls BUT majority of people report here that cops are everywhere and that chicas are afraid of approaching foreigners. Please don't take this as an insult. Its just that I want to get a clear picture of the whole situation in Cuba.

Thanks[/QUOTE]Not insulted at all. I can understand your confusion/doubt. Allow me to answer your questions one by one.

1. We stayed in a 3 star resort and it was VERY nice. Staff were super friendly.

2. The food was good. The cuisine was not fantastic, but it was fresh and tasty.

3. Please understand, just like in every major city in this world, things will be more expensive in the heavily populated areas, like Havana. For example, a taxi in Honolulu will cost you double than in Cleveland. Suffice to say that taxis in Varadero and Havana will be more expensive than in Cienfuegos or Holguin. Also bear in mind that we were walking distance to the clubs, therefore we never took a taxi to go partying, and we DID take a taxi we were 3 guys splitting everything 3 ways. Make sense?

4. The people on ISG that are reporting Police harassment of the chicas are telling the truth. However, this is much more prevalent in the heavily populated areas like Havana and the "touristy" areas like Varadero. I was NOT in these areas and I only saw Police 3 times in 14 days. Of course this is not to say that there weren't undercover present. In all the time my friends and I were there we walked openly with chicas on our arms and NEVER had any problems. We ate in open air restaurants next to the main street in broad daylight with local girls, partied with them in the clubs and outdoor bars, took them to the hotel and they were not bothered by Police or anyone else. An amazing time was had by all!

The moral to the story is quite simple, keep away from Varadero and Havana. Go and explore other less populated areas of Cuba and you will have a fantastic time without spending tons of cash.

Hope I have addressed all your questions and concerns.

Mr. Soulo

[QUOTE=Member #3200]I was guessing Manzanilllo also or Cienfuegos.

The closest AI in manzanillo is 2+hours away by bus close to the small town of Pilon.[/QUOTE]Not Manzanillo.

[QUOTE=Adinga]Mr Soulo

You made out nice.

Im a cheap son of a ***** who has traveled to Cuba many times but it would be impossible to live in Havana on your figures.

What city did you got to?

Ive only stayed in Havana and prices are alot higher than those you posted.

For example:

Casa was 30 cuc per night x 14 days = 420 cuc
Chicas want between 40 -60 cuc per night x 14 days = 700 cuc ( appx)
Taxis will run you about 20 per day x 14 days = 280 cuc
Food will run 15 cuc per day X 14 days = 210 cuc
Drinks wil run about 15 cuc per day x 14days = 210 cuc
Clubs = 100 cuc total
Airport depart fee = 25 cuc

Total = 1945 CUC
1945 cuc x 1.20 (exchange rate) = $ 2335 US
Airfare = $700
Total = $3035

Mr Soulo I applaude those numbers. Im assuming you are not from the US possibly the Bahamas[/QUOTE]The best deals to Cuba are offered by Canadian travel agencies....and they welcome American clients...as well as other foreign nationals.

Please remember, in my report i stated that we were 3 guys sharing costs. Therefore, the taxis, drinks and the casas were not that expensive.

When i go to Cuba i usually travel with at least 1 wingman so expenses are usually split in 2. Havana is more expensive than other parts of Cuba. When i'm in Havana my budget goes like this:

$540 CUC (1 wk, single occupancy, all-inclusive including flights. Can sometimes cost as much as $700 CUC, but this is a current price)
$140 CUC (5 chicas, costs me $25-$30 per girl)
$120 CUC ($240 CUC for 7 days of taxis, divided by 2)
$100 CUC (casa particular, $20 CUC per room per day for 5 days)
$30 CUC (clubbing, clubs in Guanabo are cheap, $3-$5 CUC entry per night)
$50 CUC (i don't drink and i travel with a flask. I get the barman at the hotel to fill up my flask every night before going to the clubs. Staying at an all-inclusive has many benefits. So this doesn't cost me much)
$70 CUC (food and water for 7 days, we eat everyday at the all-inclusive hotel so again this doesn't cost us very much)
$40 CUC (maid, waitresses, bartenders)
$25 CUC (departure tax)
_______________________________________________________
$1115 CUC in TOTAL (x 1.20 for US exchange rate = $1338 USD)

Please note, when I visit Havana I stay in Playas del Este close to Guanabo. The action is hot and relatively inexpensive and I never travel alone. By traveling with a friend costs for drinks, food, tips, casas, taxis, and to some extent Chicas, are shared. I also rarely party in Havana itself, the clubs, drinks and Chicas are VASTLY OVERPRICED. Stay outside Havana city and you will party like a rockstar with a budget of welfare recipient. LOL.

[QUOTE=MrSoulo]I can actually go to Saudi Arabia and pay $. 09 a gallon for gas, but that's not the point. Everything in life changes, this is an undeniable fact so learn to deal with it.[/QUOTE]
OK. I didn't realize I had a problem with that (haha)

[QUOTE]I understand your analogy of a "withering garden", but I do not subscribe to your train of thought or description, as it is my right to do so. Cuba is not just a place for sex, if this is the only reason why you went there then I feel sorry for you as you have surely missed out on the many splendors of this beautiful country.[/QUOTE]
Take your own advice and never assume Mr. Soulo. If you knew the real reason I go to Cuba, you'd feel like an idiot for assuming I go there (or anywhere else for that matter) for sex. Fortunately, sex has never been an issue in my life.

[QUOTE]And of course there was great "comraderie" (correct spelling is actually camaraderie) back in the good ole days, starving people will put up with stupid jokes just so that they can hopefully get a free meal out of it. This happens everyday in the USA, so why wouldn't it be the same in the Cuba of the 90's.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the spelling correction. WTF are you talking about? The good old days of Cuba have to do with certain freedoms that were available to Cubans which are long gone. Without going into a long political dissertation, suffice it to say that they no longer exist

[QUOTE]
Furthermore, don't attempt to assume that I've only been to Cuba since 2008, maybe I have made other posts on this site under another name. But then again maybe I have not. The point being, in the immortal words of Benny Hill, "when you assume you make an ass out of you and me"![/QUOTE]
Benny Hill? Really? Whodathunk? I would bet my bottom dollar you are a relative newbie to Cuba just by your enthusiasm about the place. It wears on you after about 20 trips. Even moreso when you've going there as long as I have.


[QUOTE]I just came back from Cuba 2 weeks ago, my friends and I had an amazing time. There was an endless supply of delicious women, for as little as FREE-$20 PESOS. As well as other fun and fantastic things to do. You just have to know where to go and how to treat the people and great adventures will be yours for the taking.[/QUOTE]
Cuba is always an adventure, that's for sure. I have been to every part of Cuba from Baracoa to west of Pinar del Rio to Isla de Juventud. By the way, I have never let a girl go home empty handed. Getting a "freebie" in a poor country is not a accomplishment....it's an insult to humanity.

[QUOTE]As far as the FREE punanny action is concerned, it helps if you treat them very nicely and you don't look like you've been dragged face first along the bottom of the River Thames.[/QUOTE]
Again, don't brag about FREE punanny in a poor country.

[QUOTE]In closing my friend, just live and let live. Enjoy every moment you have while it lasts and stop living in the past. Because once the American government fully lifts the embargo and Americans are legally allowed to visit Cuba, that beautiful country will be used and abused and become a complete overpriced wasteland! Then you will really wish for the good ole days. The good ole days of 2010![/QUOTE]

It's already an overpriced wasteland for those who live there. And don't fool yourself, there is nothing that the big man in Cuba wants more than the embargo. Otherwise, what excuse can he possibly have for a failed system? Who can he blame? Try living like a Cuban for a while and you'll see things in a different light.

It's nice that you stayed in a 3 star resort. As a matter of priciple, I have never stayed in a hotel in Cuba let alone a resort. I believe that Cubans can now actually enter a hotel or resort in their own country? What a concept....

Cuba is a mysterious place. Cubans are a tough bunch of people who eat a lot of shit from alot of people just to survive. Even with many trips over many years, fluent Spanish, years of building relationships with people of all walks of life, and adjusting my mentality to try to understand their psyche, I don't claim to "know" Cuba or the mind of everyday Cubans.

Hopefully, for Cubans themselves, the "good old days" are yet to come. Lord knows they deserve better. It's not that I live in the past my friend, nor a bad attitude. It's just an observation of what I have seen over many years.

BTW, humor me....you're a Canadian, right?

[QUOTE=La Isla]OK. I didn't realize I had a problem with that (haha)

Take your own advice and never assume Mr. Soulo. If you knew the real reason I go to Cuba, you'd feel like an idiot for assuming I go there (or anywhere else for that matter) for sex. Fortunately, sex has never been an issue in my life.

Thanks for the spelling correction. WTF are you talking about? The good old days of Cuba have to do with certain freedoms that were available to Cubans which are long gone. Without going into a long political dissertation, suffice it to say that they no longer exist

Benny Hill? Really? Whodathunk? I would bet my bottom dollar you are a relative newbie to Cuba just by your enthusiasm about the place. It wears on you after about 20 trips. Even moreso when you've going there as long as I have.

Cuba is always an adventure, that's for sure. I have been to every part of Cuba from Baracoa to west of Pinar del Rio to Isla de Juventud. By the way, I have never let a girl go home empty handed. Getting a "freebie" in a poor country is not a accomplishment. It's an insult to humanity.

Again, don't brag about FREE punanny in a poor country.

It's already an overpriced wasteland for those who live there. And don't fool yourself, there is nothing that the big man in Cuba wants more than the embargo. Otherwise, what excuse can he possibly have for a failed system? Who can he blame? Try living like a Cuban for a while and you'll see things in a different light.

It's nice that you stayed in a 3 star resort. As a matter of priciple, I have never stayed in a hotel in Cuba let alone a resort. I believe that Cubans can now actually enter a hotel or resort in their own country? What a concept.

Cuba is a mysterious place. Cubans are a tough bunch of people who eat a lot of shit from alot of people just to survive. Even with many trips over many years, fluent Spanish, years of building relationships with people of all walks of life, and adjusting my mentality to try to understand their psyche, I don't claim to "know" Cuba or the mind of everyday Cubans.

Hopefully, for Cubans themselves, the "good old days" are yet to come. Lord knows they deserve better. It's not that I live in the past my friend, nor a bad attitude. It's just an observation of what I have seen over many years.

BTW, humor me. You're a Canadian, right?[/QUOTE]La Isla, what's wrong with being a Canadian?

If there is one country that tourist feel sorry for Cuban people the most and help them out the most are Canadian tourists. I know this because I work for a travel agency, and when I ask most Canadian families and couples the reason why they keep coming back to Cuba, they all say the same thing, they love Cuban people and they like to help them out. And you know by far there are more Canadians in Cuba than any other country in the world, they were expecting a record number of 1 million Canadian tourist in Cuba last winter alone.

I do agree with most of your post, just not the end of it, since it contradicts what you are trying to say.

I love Canadians, don't get me wrong. I work with them all the time. Yes, they are VERY generous to the Cuban people. I was just amusing myself. Canadians almost always come on a package that includes a hotel for less than I can get just an airfare. No malice was intended.

Actually, I shouldn't have even responded at all. Cuba is a place that slowly unfolds itself to everyone the more they go there. Let him enjoy it for how he sees it today.


[QUOTE=Steve Nash]La Isla, what's wrong with being a Canadian?

If there is one country that tourist feel sorry for Cuban people the most and help them out the most are Canadian tourists. I know this because I work for a travel agency, and when I ask most Canadian families and couples the reason why they keep coming back to Cuba, they all say the same thing, they love Cuban people and they like to help them out. And you know by far there are more Canadians in Cuba than any other country in the world, they were expecting a record number of 1 million Canadian tourist in Cuba last winter alone.

I do agree with most of your post, just not the end of it, since it contradicts what you are trying to say.[/QUOTE]

Well put Nash

I cant figure out Cuba either - thats why I keep going back.

I've only been visiting since 2002 but every year things get more difficult and expensive.

[QUOTE=La Isla]OK. I didn't realize I had a problem with that (haha)

Take your own advice and never assume Mr. Soulo. If you knew the real reason I go to Cuba, you'd feel like an idiot for assuming I go there (or anywhere else for that matter) for sex. Fortunately, sex has never been an issue in my life.

Let me guess, you go to Cuba to teach the blind how to read Braille?

Thanks for the spelling correction. WTF are you talking about? The good old days of Cuba have to do with certain freedoms that were available to Cubans which are long gone. Without going into a long political dissertation, suffice it to say that they no longer exist

You're welcome.

Yes, the Cubans had quite the freedom in the past. Freedom to starve, freedom to be homeless, freedom to die from lack of medical access, freedom to be PIMPED by Batista, the American government and the Mafia. Yeah, they had all the "freedoms" you condone.

Benny Hill? Really? Whodathunk? I would bet my bottom dollar you are a relative newbie to Cuba just by your enthusiasm about the place. It wears on you after about 20 trips. Even moreso when you've going there as long as I have.

Hey, don't knock the comedic genius of Mr. Benny Hill. LOL.

Cuba is always an adventure, that's for sure. I have been to every part of Cuba from Baracoa to west of Pinar del Rio to Isla de Juventud. By the way, I have never let a girl go home empty handed. Getting a "freebie" in a poor country is not a accomplishment. It's an insult to humanity.

Actually, an insult to humanity is what the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians. I think you really need to get your view of the world in order.

Again, don't brag about FREE punanny in a poor country.

Since when is stating a fact "bragging"? EVERY guy on this site has gotten free punanny at one time or another. Are they ALL bragging? You're lost. LOL.

There are many people in the southern USA that live in abject poverty, quite similar to those in Cuba and other poor countries. Only difference is, they are NOT guaranteed a home to live in, FREE education and FREE medical. So why don't you go down there, pick up a few chicks from the local bars and INSIST on giving them money for sex. Since you are such a great humanitarian.

It's already an overpriced wasteland for those who live there. And don't fool yourself, there is nothing that the big man in Cuba wants more than the embargo. Otherwise, what excuse can he possibly have for a failed system? Who can he blame? Try living like a Cuban for a while and you'll see things in a different light.

Strict Communism doesn't work, neither does strict Capitalism. History has proven this. If the "system" has failed according to you, it's only failed because the American government did, and continues to do, everything to make it fail.

FYI, the "system" didn't completely fail. Look at the average life span, educational level and health of the average Cuban now compared to when the DICTATOR Batista was in power.

I actually did live "like a Cuban", read below.

It's nice that you stayed in a 3 star resort. As a matter of priciple, I have never stayed in a hotel in Cuba let alone a resort. I believe that Cubans can now actually enter a hotel or resort in their own country? What a concept.

Because you chose not to stay in a resort doesn't make you a hero. You are probably staying in a Casa Particular so that you can have uninterrupted access to punanny. So don't even try to play the noble traveler. Give me a break.

Cuba is a mysterious place. Cubans are a tough bunch of people who eat a lot of shit from alot of people just to survive. Even with many trips over many years, fluent Spanish, years of building relationships with people of all walks of life, and adjusting my mentality to try to understand their psyche, I don't claim to "know" Cuba or the mind of everyday Cubans.

"Cuba is a mysterious place"? Ok, whatever you say buddy. I think you've been watching too many episodes of LOST. LOL.

Hopefully, for Cubans themselves, the "good old days" are yet to come. Lord knows they deserve better. It's not that I live in the past my friend, nor a bad attitude. It's just an observation of what I have seen over many years.

From your mouth to God's ears. The only way for Cuba and the Cuban people to flourish is for the United States government to lift the embargo!

BTW, humor me. You're a Canadian, right?[/QUOTE]I'll most definitely attempt to "humor" you. NO, I'm NOT Canadian, but I happen to like Canada and Canadians very much.

I come from a country that's actually more poor than Cuba and for a while I grew up under a socialist system. I have much more in common and can identify more with Cubans and their daily struggle that the average vacationer like you. By your pseudo political banter I would have to guess that you are American. Correct?